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As numb and unfeeling Asgore became as the years went on, there came again someone who shone a little light onto his life. In an everchanging world, Rudy’s hope and friendliness was the only constant. All throughout his college years, all throughout his career, all throughout his divorce, and all throughout his downfall, he always had a shoulder to lean on and cry on, and he always did his best to give back the favour.
Their relationship was complicated—they gave each other everything they could… but they couldn’t exactly fit social standards. They were both married, yet tied to each other at the very core of their respective selves. Surely, being ‘just bros,’ as Rudy said, would work. Neither of them felt the need to bring this up. Why would that not be enough? They were happy with their wives, and happy with being friends. Until, suddenly…
The divorce. The divorce, the divorce. A bubbling cacophony from the pits of the deep would seep into the family’s connection, and permanently sever their ties. His actions were drastic. But he had to do it. It had to be done. But with extreme measures, come extreme results. Kris became mute, antisocial, and sick. By the Mayor’s orders, Noelle was decided to be kept out-of-the-know for as long as possible, but was still scarred. Asriel was sobbing and distancing herself.
Asgore’s return was not to his home, but rather to an unfamiliar town that despised his very existence. He tried, as hard as he possibly could, to rationalise it, but it was all in vain. His attempt to protect everyone, to be a hero, was nothing but an act of incompetence by a fool who didn’t care for those around him. Of course, Toriel asked for a divorce. His pleading fell on deaf ears, and he couldn’t win custody; he couldn’t protect her , why would he be trusted with them?
His memories during that time were in a state of fog. He couldn’t think straight for so long. He only survived through funds by, of course, Rudy, who frequently visited him despite Asgore’s predicament. Asgore couldn’t thank him enough for his compassion. Asgore made his attempts, but no words could explain how much his presence was appreciated—yet, another feeling took hold of Asgore: confusion. Sure, it was expected of Rudy, the light of Hometown, to act this way. But… to him..? To this broken, rotten, man, who had done such a terrible thing to his daughter..? “He… was too kind, that Rudy,” Asgore found himself thinking.
He picked himself up eventually, with the help of his friend, and a new opportunity presented itself; a last resort to the constant begging he was doing in a futile, foolhardy attempt at getting Toriel back. A last chance to prove himself—prove that what he did was an act of heroism. He did everything right. He must have. It must be Toriel’s fault she doesn’t believe him. And he would correct that. He acquired what he needed to do so. A dazzling, nearly opaque Black Shard.
…But then, suddenly, news came. News on Rudy’s condition. Every time one of these came in, Asgore’s head spun with fear. With this one in particular, he felt a little bit more dread fill his body. The letter was unsealed with shaking hands. He closed his eyes immediately. He tried to comfort himself. All of the letters so far hadn’t been any news that were too bad. There was no reason to be afraid. At worst, he was probably stuck for another day. It was going to be okay. He could just visit him later, right? He opened his eyes, and steadied his large hands.
Rudy, according to the Hospital’s notes, had fallen into a comatose state. Asgore knew what this meant; any monster would. But that did not curb the pain whatsoever. His mental processes were in overdrive, and his regrets sunk deeper into his psyche. This was inevitable. Of course it was. Of course he couldn’t protect him. It wasn’t a surprise he never noticed how Rudy got weaker by the day. He’s not one to notice anything really. He didn’t notice Dess’s new obsession with that horrid place. He would’ve never noticed Kris’s predicament. But, of course, he could fix all of that. Right here, right now. His plan would fix everything . Getting Toriel back was perfectly reasonable, wasn’t it?
Asgore stood alone in the darkness; self-entrapped in an asylum of memories, clutching an old shard, acquired from the very person whose disappearance caused his downfall. After an accidental glimpse into his reflection and a quick visceral reaction, he focused on what he wanted. What he’s desired for all these years. Everything he wanted to prove. Everything he wanted to do with Rudy.
As the thoughts poured into his head, he felt he had no choice but to scream and roar as he plunged the blade into the ground. The roar reverberated all throughout the shop and the surrounding part of the town. Asgore watched as the smoke flowed into the rest of the decrepit shop; his eyes veiled by the darkness taking crawl, but all-seeing.
It would all be worth it in the end.